PILOT REVIEW: Undercovers

UNDERCOVERS

Starring: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Boris Kodjoe, Ben Schwartz, Mekia Cox, Carter MacIntyre, and Gerald McRaney
Created by JJ Abrams and Josh Reims
Written by JJ Abrams and Josh Reims
Directed by JJ Abrams

Undercovers is a new escapist spy drama from JJ Abrams who created the hit shows Lost and Alias among others. This one centers on two married former spies turned caterers in retirement, Samantha and Steven Bloom (Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Boris Kodjoe). Coaxed back into the spy business by Carlton Shaw (Gerald McRaney), the Blooms head out on a mission in the pilot to get a former friend and fellow agent Leo Nash (Carter MacIntyre) back and track down a most-wanted enemy in the process. Rounding out the cast are the always-needed tech guy Bill (Ben Schwartz) and Samantha's sister and catering employee Lizzy (Mekia Cox).

This show comes with a lot of pedigree and expectations consider the creator and the pilot shows promise but ultimately doesn't live up to the hype. That's not to say it can't improve and become a hit, but it has some work to do. There are good parts and bad parts. The good parts include the chemistry between the two leads who are newcomers - they are charming and attractive leads who are very believable as a married couple. The pilot also had a good fight scene, dazzling settings as they globe-trot, and a very funny "sexpionage" scene at a wedding. The bad parts though included the fact that the first half hour was incredibly slow moving. I realize they needed to get the story pieced together but it just dragged. Also, the writers need to avoid too much "cutesy" stuff. The banter between the Blooms is a must but it needs to be witty and sharp, not cheesy. There were too many contrived parts and lines like the simultaneous head turn on the computer or the three way "thank you very much" on the phone. A show like this doesn't need that sort of stuff.

Undercovers was ultimately underwhelming as a pilot but promising as a series. The writers will need to keep the stories fresh and cut down on the bad dialogue. The show has promise because JJ Abrams has a great track record and Gbatha-Raw and Kodjoe are extremely promising in the lead roles. But it needs to avoid looking like your average spy movie and it needs to be faster moving than the pilot. It needs work but it could make it.